Sandow to come off bench in return for Parramatta

Made the cut ... the Bulldogs Tim Lafai claimed his first jersey of the season. Photo: Getty Images

CHRIS SANDOW will return from NRL exile on Friday night after being named on the bench for Parramatta's clash with Canterbury at ANZ Stadium.

After a well publicised stint with Wentworthville in the NSW Cup, Sandow has earned a call-up back to the NRL, but coach Stephen Kearney remains unconvinced his confidence is back to where it needs to be.

Kearney has named the former South Sydney playmaker on the bench alongside three front-rowers, sticking with last week's halves combination of Ben Roberts and Casey McGuire to start the game.

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler has handed Tim Lafai his first jersey of the year after Steve Turner was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Lafai will play at right centre, with Hasler opting to shift Jonathan Wright out on to the wing for the clash against his former club, Parramatta.

St George Illawarra welcome back Kyle Stanley, who missed last week's memorable last ditch victory against Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day. Matt Prior has been moved into the back row to fill in for Beau Scott, who will miss six weeks with a dislocated elbow.

Justin Hodges has been cleared to take his place in Brisbane's first non-Friday night game of the year, despite hyper-extending his knee against Gold Coast last week.

The Broncos will also be boosted by the return of Ben Te'o, who has been out suspended for a shoulder charge on Matt Groat back in round six.

Titans skipper Scott Prince will miss the game against Wests Tigers, his former club, due to an elbow injury. That opens the door for veteran Phil Graham to make his debut for the club against the Tigers on Saturday night. Graham will wear the No.1 jersey, pushing William Zillman to five-eighth, handing rookie Aidan Sezer with more responsibility at halfback.

The Warriors have also been forced to make a change at the back, with Kevin Locke to be sidelined with a sternum injury he suffered in last week's loss to Melbourne.

Centre Jerome Ropati has beaten Glen Fisiiahi to Locke's fullback jersey, while Konrad Hurrell has earnt a recall to the starting side, named in the centres alongside fellow rookie, Ben Henry.

Bronson Harrison will make his return for the Raiders, while Sam Burgess is considered an outside chance of returning for Souths against Cronulla on Monday night.